This was my first overnight tramp with the club which I have joined 6 months ago. I was very keen to start and founded amazing. I must say that the first day was really hard for me though especially close to the top as it was up and up and up and I couldn't see the end. Only could see the first two markers and always hoping that after that it is going to be flat but noooo, as soon as we got closer and the other marker came out of the mist guess what? Yes it was still higher and higher. No wonder though, we climbed to almost 1400m and started at 700m but man it was worth it! All my memories of childhood hiking in Europe came flooding back as similar high mountains are over there and once finally at the ridge I've started to take photos :-) Towards the end it was down to the Waipakihi Hut and we've had a lovely night there.
The morning started cold (even the outside tap froze how cold it was) but the views were incredible.
After breakfast we've made our way along and mostly through the Waipakihi River but oh my gosh I was in heaven, no hills all day! Just this beautiful river, just amazing. The group company was great, there was a lot of chatter the whole day and half way through, at a nice grassy lunch spot, we've met up with the fast party too whom was hiking the track in the opposite way. Towards the end of the day we've met with one of the hunters that was in the area and then came across also their camp site not too far away from where we've ended up putting our tents up. Right by the river. In the evening, looking back towards the hills we could smell and see the hunters smoke coming from their fire filling up the valley. Oh it was very special.
Waking up in the Valley was just incredible. We have found out that it was about 5Deg while we've been having breakfast and when sun was already out for a bit so we reckon that it must of got colder overnight but it was well worth it and the hot coffee tasted great! This was also my first time cooking outdoors so Thank you Penny for showing me what to do and how to safely boil water with a burner and a gas bottle :-) After we've packed up everything back into our backpacks it was time to head towards the 2 hour long steep climb up to Urchin Trig and guess what we came across? A dry goat skin! Well that's not something you'll see everyday. After that there was a long pause with photos because I had to get up the hill but once we've stopped for a break and quick something to eat towards the top the camera came out again. By that time Rob had found me a rent a pole as well and that made me very happy. The best present ever!! It was so great it reminded me of a mystical creature that lives in the hills of Krkonose in the Czech Republic called Krakonos so I've asked to have a photo taken with me and my new stick and I felt very important and proud. I've attached photo of Krakonos in his mountains.(below) Once we've reached the top I could not put the camera down! The views and the colours were just stunning and on the way down we could see Lake Taupo and Snow! I was so happy to see the snow on Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe, it's beautiful even with the low cloud. And the last photo is taken by Viv as I made it back to the bus after 3 days tramping, tired but so happy and proud of myself and still with my stick :-).
The whole experience was made really nice and enjoyable for me with lots of help from everyone in the club. Especially Roger for organising the trip, having faith in me that I can do it and lending me gear that I didn't have, Rob for all the tips and tricks and leadership, Penny for borrowing your tent and all the support you have given me, Tina for lending me camping essentials, Bernard for crossing strong current in rivers with me, Peter for talking through with me about all the individual things to pack and get ready well before the trip which made me more sure of signing up and going on this trip. So thanks to everyone, you are awesome and I am already looking forward to another overnight trip with the club.